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Brazos Bend State Park

Brazos Bend State Park offers a scenic haven for birdwatchers and wildlife observers. More than 270 species of birds have been sighted here, and the prehistoric-looking American alligator is the park´s most noteworthy resident. Hiking and biking trails meander through the park´s varied terrains, and several lakes offer excellent fishing. For stargazers, the George Observatory is located within the park.

Most of the park is in the Brazos River floodplains, but there are also areas of flat upland coastal prairies. Numerous swales and depressions become freshwater marshes during periods of heavy rain. In addition to the Brazos River, Big Creek meanders diagonally across the park and is associated with sloughs and oxbow lakes. Other lakes have been created by levees.

Flora/Fauna: Brazos Bend State Park features sycamore; cottonwood; black willow; oaks; more than 270 species of birds sighted; 21 species of reptiles and amphibians, including American alligator; and 23 species of mammals, including bobcat, white-tailed deer, raccoon, gray fox, and feral hog.

The George Observatory: The Observatory houses a Challenger Learning Center for Space Science Education, which takes participants on simulated space missions, complete with a mission control center and a spacecraft simulator. There are also three domed telescopes at the George Observatory: the largest is the 36-inch Gueymard Research Telescope, one of the largest telescopes in the nation open to the public on a regular basis. The George Observatory is open for public viewing on Saturday evenings, and is available by reservation on Friday nights for groups of 30 or more.